Student finance - compelling personal reasons (CPR)

Hi everyone, I’m looking at returning to university a few years after having to drop out due to my mental health.

I originally started uni in the September of 2018. Everything was going fine until towards the end of the academic year when I was seriously indecently assaulted by a family friend. Due to what happened I was unable to submit two modules of work and the university made me retake my entire first year starting in September 2019. During that academic year my grandfather passed away. This was an absolutely devastating loss for me as he had been like a dad to me as my own father wasn’t around when I was growing up. This situation was made even worse as it was during the lockdown, so I was unable to visit him in the hospice. Despite all of this I managed to pass my first year the second time.

I started my second year in September 2020. In April 2021 I had to give evidence in court against the man who had assaulted me. He ended up being found not guilty, and my mental health took a massive nose dive and I was unable to complete that academic year. I took the following year off university with the intention of returning the following year. Unfortunately my mental health was still very poor and I ended up dropping out all together.

After a few years away I have had a lot of therapy and now feel able to return to education.

I would like to study a completely different course at a different uni. In order to get on this course I would need to do an access to HE course in that subject. The access course is going to cost me £1600, so before I put that sort of money out I would like some advice on being able to get funding through compelling personal reasons.

I know that SFE will usually grant you an extra year of funding, however I will need more than one year as I was at my previous university for three years. I also know that the fact I’m wanting to change both my course and university will likely complicate matters. I just want a fresh start for myself after everything that has happened. I would never consider returning to my previous university as they weren’t very supportive and actually ended up causing me more stress on top of everything else.

My main questions are would SFE be likely to allow me to get funding, and if so what sort of evidence would I need to supply?

Reply 1

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

Some courses are exempt from previous study rules - what course are you hoping to go back to university to study?

For CPR it can be applied across more than one year. From what you’ve said you should be able to get CPR for the first failed year when you were assaulted and the second failed year that was impacted by the court case. You would need a letter from your doctor or similar explaining how the situation impacted your studies and resulted in the 2 failed years.

The year you passed would be your “gift year” of funding.

It’s worth noting that SFE and the government are putting through changes to student finance that might change some aspects. They have committed to retaining CPR in some form but the details are still not available. The changes are planned to start from 2027 (so if you start an Access to HE Diploma full time this year then you should be under the existing system).

Reply 2

11ab03

Original post

by PQ

Some courses are exempt from previous study rules - what course are you hoping to go back to university to study?
For CPR it can be applied across more than one year. From what you’ve said you should be able to get CPR for the first failed year when you were assaulted and the second failed year that was impacted by the court case. You would need a letter from your doctor or similar explaining how the situation impacted your studies and resulted in the 2 failed years.
The year you passed would be your “gift year” of funding.
It’s worth noting that SFE and the government are putting through changes to student finance that might change some aspects. They have committed to retaining CPR in some form but the details are still not available. The changes are planned to start from 2027 (so if you start an Access to HE Diploma full time this year then you should be under the existing system).

Thank you for your reply, it’s been very informative. I’m looking at studying Biomedical Science which sadly isn’t one of the courses that has the exemption.

I would be able to get together a number of pieces of evidence including letters from the police and my doctor.

I’m planning on starting the access course this year as I would like to start uni in September 2026.

From what I understand my next steps would be to:
1- start the access course
2- start my UCAS application
3- apply for finance with my CPR evidence and cover letter

Would this be the correct way to do things?

Reply 3

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

Original post

by 11ab03

Yes that’s the right order of actions.
Biomedical science isn’t exempt - however it might be worth researching any universities offering the course part time. The part time previous study rules are a LOT more generous (something like up to 15 years of study funded). So if you can find any universities offering the course part time then that’s a useful backup option if you’re unable to get CPR approved. If you study part time on campus the SFE cover tuition fees and a maintenance loan (albeit a smaller loan than full time study)

Reply 4

Anonymous #1

Hi,
I need some help with applying for student finance. It’s my first time applying, so I’d really appreciate it if you could explain the process and let me know what documents I’ll need to provide.
Thank you!